SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has called on local government units (LGUs) to wisely utilize their Special Education Fund (SEF) allotment in preparation for the country’s learning continuity plan amid the pandemic.
The senator on Wednesday reminded LGUs to carefully and wisely utilize their respective SEF as the Department of the Interior and Local Government recently called on them to assist the Department of Education (DepEd) in preparing for the coming school year.
“Ni piso ay hindi dapat masayang. Gamitin po natin ng tama ang pondo ng bayan upang matulungan ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ngayon na may krisis. Gamit ang SEF, let’s make sure that students are able to continue their education in a manner that will not put them at harm because of the risks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a news statement.
In a separate statement, Go also announced the launching of the 74th Malasakit Center at the Dr. Fernando B. Duran, Sr. Memorial Hospital (formerly Sorsogon Provincial Hospital) located in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, last Wednesday.
Go, who attended the inauguration via videoconference, reiterated his commitment as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography to push for better health-care services and increased access to medical and financial assistance all over the country.
The Malasakit Center in Sorsogon is the third in the Bicol region and 36th in Luzon. It is the third branch to open within the last seven days, the others being in Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan, Romblon and Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler, Aurora. More centers are scheduled to be launched in the coming months.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), meanwhile, encouraged LGUs to convene their Local School Boards to discuss the use of SEF and to support the localization of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan crafted by the education department amid the pandemic.
In a separate statement issued by DILG, the agency asked LGUs to “assist the DepEd in the adjustment of public schools to the new normal” as well as to “utilize the Special Education Fund” which would enable them to fund their education needs in the face of Covid-19.